INTERVIEW: Photographer Mauro Lorenzo

Q: First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?A: I’m a fashion photographer and always looking for new inspirations. Colors, landscapes, fashion and visual photography drove me to get passionate about this job. It is mandatory to study and work hard to develop in this field. Therefore I attended many workshops that held by well-known photographers, I also did a master in photography. My career begun in 2012 founding my own studio: Mauro Lorenzo Fotografia. I’m traveling to many locations in Italy, Europe and USA; and I’m engaged in important works in Rome, Venice, Paris, London, Bucharest and Los Angeles. My fashion Photography portfolio is published on Vogue Italy, Elle and on several Magazines and websites. In 2017 I was in the top 10 new talents in fashion photography. Now I teach fashion photography.

Q: Was there anything specific that made you want to become a photographer?

A:I’ve always loved reinterpreting reality and landscape in my own way. My predilection was to reproduce landscapes and found what my mind dreamed of, which lead me to go further. Then I met a great fashion photographer, and it was a revelation for me...I suddenly realized that photography would have been my way and later my profession. Thanks to him I grew professionally and technically, and my commitment switched to fashion world. I’ve been more and more experienced in this field and I realized that in every photo I could express my imagination and my passion for fashion photography.

Q: How would you describe your photography style?

A: Harmony between architecture and fashion.

Q: What type of photo sessions are your favourite? Why?

A: I do not have a favorite photo session. I prefer locations rich in details. I love to recreate sets in the studio and if necessary play a lot with the minimalism of a backdrop or just one element as a background. I look at the details very much and therefore I always look for trivial details. Playing a lot with light and cuts, I highly recommend the strong daylight combined with a lot of artificial light.

Q: Name your 3 most significant achievements so far:A: If I have to choose among 3 of my successes, they will be for sure: LOVENICE, Haute Couture photography service in the beautiful Venice, it received a lot of positive reviews from the magazine and fashion staff . DIAMOND COUTURE, the worldwide campaign for bridal gowns. Having a great team for this campaign that worked hard for 2 days among stunning locations. Besides shooting, I also directed the commercials. LBD, beautiful photographic service shot in Vilnius (a part published by L’affaire magazine) lasting 3 days and which led me to close 3 editorials and over 28 final photos for numerous international magazines. Over the next few months, many other editorials and commercials will be released, including a shooting in the superb cities of Positano and Amal .

Q: How did you become interested in fashion photography specifically?

A: As mentioned before, my passion for fashion photography comes from my love for fashion and personal experiences. I worked as assistant for a Parisian photographer for some time. I’ve been watching world-wide fashion campaigns like Lanvin, Swarovski, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci. All these have increased my desire to become a fashion photographer. As a photographer, I invested a lot of time and resources for training.

Q: It appears you prefer color photography, but you have some black and white images in your portfolio as well. How do you feel about color and how do you feel about B&W? When do you decide to choose one over the other?

A: I love to try to make shots with perfect colors and some shots beyond the limits set. The shades of light on the color excite me and are a source of inspiration during the shooting phase. My Black and White works are outnumbered among my colorful work. I use monochrome to push on shapes and composition and many times I prefer desaturated colors. Choosing color photos is also the result of purely corporate customer and editorial requirements. I believe color photography can give you direct visions and emotions as well as black and white photography, so it’s important to photograph and find yourself with eyes and heart in what you shoot.

Q: Can you tell us about your work process? Do you have any rules?

A:I am a maniacal person in my work. I have created an a affiliate team with whom I have been working for about three years. I usually start with a series of meetings to define the photographic mood, outfits, accessories, makeup, etc. and then I prepare documents describing lengths of clothing, fabric type, and any items that can be edited at a stage. Finally, I always create a work plan to set time, location, contact details of each member involved for the shoot, style and mood board. The design phase closes with 10/11 different moods. During shooting, I follow absolutely every single scheduled step and give detailed instructions to the model. In post-production, I proceed for further refinement stages, starting from the selection and first development and then moving to the corrections and finishes in Photoshop.

Q:Your choices of shoot locations are always impressive. How do you find those places? Do you have a favorite location?

A: I love studying and looking for new locations. Personal experiences and traveling has helped me to pinpoint great locations in my diary. Sometimes, member of my team suggests different locations. I choose every location based on my photo cut and how light can intervene and improve the photo. It is not easy to find a location and it requires hours of research. There are occasions that I compromise between client’s request and my choice of location. My love for history of art also helps me to find a good location.

Q: What are the biggest challenges of working in Italy?

A:Fashion photography in Italy is at its highest excellent level. There are many talented photographers who work in Italy. Sometime ago I was listening to a great Italian photographer, Giampaolo Sgura, who talked about how he worked with Vogue in Germany, Japan, Spain, and many other countries except Vogue Italia. It seems it is the biggest challenge in Italy to shoot for Vogue Italia, that is to say in one’s own country and try to have the respect of Italian employees.

Q: What skills, besides photography skills, does someone need to succeed in this business?A: Competence: I believe that to be a good fashion photographer, besides knowing how to shoot, you need to become an expert in fashion.Entrepreneurship: you need to be acquainted, confronted and presentable. Listen to a lot of opinions and improve where you are lacking.Grow: you have to claim the very best from yourself, never content yourself and try to overcome your technical and conceptual vision. Look for something new and always have your own style.Q: Who or what are your greatest influences or inspirations?

A:Kristian Schuller: who with his theatrical vision helps me to observe in the color and photographic technique of movement and long exposures. Giampaolo Sgura: the true fashion photographer, fresh and dynamic color and images. Steven Meisel: a photographer “chameleon”, always super contemporary with warm and fascinating colors. His vision always unique and suitable for every new trend. Tim Walker: Fantasy and theatricality in photography. In one year he has been able to shoot Gucci, Calendario Pirelli, Alberta Ferretti, Oscar De La Renta and many top brands. A unique style that is recognized among the many photos for magazines. And finally other names such as: Richard Avedon, Steve McCurry, Paolo Roversi, David LaChapelle and Steven Klein.

Q: What advices would you give for next generation photographers?

A: I’m part of this band of new fashion photographers ... I think the advice I could and would like to give are: Studying photography and fashion, I think it’s crucial to know about the history of art and fashion in this area. Never stop dreaming to go beyond the trivial and the usual. Also in commercial photography, always propose something new, contemporary and recognizable. Find inspiration from every sector. Be innovative and focused with your own style! I think the last two “tips” over the years have made me learn a lot about this industry. Searching for one’s own style, recognizable among so many. Impose a recognizable mark in every job or shot, so people can tell without any doubts “ah, this photo seems to be taken by...”. In the eyes of the fashion system, these small factors, in my opinion, are what one can most appreciate for a true artist!

Q: Tell us where our readers can see your work and keep in touch with you?